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Qobuz: Music & Editorial vs its rivals

Side-by-side comparison against Qobuz: Music & Editorial's closest competitors — identity, store metrics, ratings & sentiment, and strategic intel.

Qobuz: Music & Editorial
This App
TIDAL Music: HiFi Sound
Nemesis
Japan Radio FM – Online radio
Contender
Muzio Player ‣ Music Player
Contender
Roxy Rádió
Contender
Radio Mexico FM : Online radio
Contender
Sonos S1・S2 Speaker Controller
Peer
Orto - For Sonos
Peer
FreeYourMusic: Move Playlists
Peer
Les meilleures radios françaises : Musiques & Actualité (France - FR)
Peer
Core Identity
DeveloperQobuzTIDAL Music ASRadioFMappPhi AnhDanubius Media Kft.RadioFMappLily AndersonBlockBooks Accounting LtdHernas OÜThomas Gesland
CategoryMusicMusicMusic & AudioMusicMusic & AudioMusic & AudioMusicMusicMusicMusic
PlatformAndroid, iOSiOS, AndroidAndroidiOSAndroid, iOSAndroidiOS, AndroidiOS, AndroidiOS, AndroidiOS, Android
Store Metrics
Rating4.6 / 54.7 / 50.0 / 54.2 / 54.0 / 54.7 / 54.4 / 54.0 / 54.2 / 51.0 / 5
Ratings Count18,146236,1110142122,7742,171446,7121
PriceFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFreeFree$5.99FreeFree
Release DateDec 16, 2014Oct 23, 2014May 23, 2022Mar 26, 2021Apr 30, 2023Dec 30, 2015May 24, 2024Jul 21, 2021Apr 4, 2016Oct 5, 2014
Last UpdatedMay 14, 2026May 13, 2026Aug 2, 2024Jun 1, 2022Apr 26, 2026Oct 30, 2025Jan 17, 2025Mar 10, 2026May 6, 2026Oct 28, 2015
Sentiment & Reviews
Sentimentmixednegative---positiveterriblemixed-positive
Score45/10035/100---85/10025/10025/100-85/100
Praises
  • High-fidelity audio quality provides a superior listening experience compared to mainstream streaming competitors
  • High-fidelity audio streaming quality provides a superior listening experience for dedicated audiophiles
  • Artist-centric payment model encourages users to support creators over competing streaming platforms
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  • Ease of finding local stations
  • High-fidelity audio output quality remains the primary reason users maintain their system investment
  • High-fidelity sound quality remains the primary reason users maintain their investment in the system
-
  • Simplicity and ease of use
Complaints
  • Frequent playback interruptions and app crashes disrupt the listening experience across mobile platforms
  • Frequent UI overhauls disrupt established navigation patterns and reduce accessibility for long-term users
  • Persistent technical instability and playback errors degrade the core music streaming experience
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  • Station incompatibility
  • Persistent connectivity failures and device discovery issues prevent basic playback across the speaker system
  • Chronic connectivity failures and speaker discovery issues prevent reliable daily use of the system
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  • Occasional stream buffering
Requests
  • Integration of a lyrics display feature to enhance the engagement with music content
  • Implementation of a sleep timer to allow for automated playback cessation at night
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  • Frequent station updates
  • Restoration of the legacy desktop application to provide a more stable control interface
  • Restoration of the legacy desktop application to provide a more stable control interface
-
  • Modern UI updates
Strategic Intel
Strengths
  • Lossless Hi-Res library functions as a technical barrier to entry for mainstream competitors
  • Ethical artist compensation model drives brand loyalty among music enthusiasts
  • Direct Hi-Fi hardware integration increases switching costs for prosumer users
  • 24-bit/192kHz lossless library sustains audiophile retention
  • TIDAL Connect hardware integration creates high switching costs
  • Artist-first payout model builds ethical brand loyalty
  • Curated Japanese radio directory provides immediate value to niche listeners
  • Automatic shutdown timer supports data conservation and sleep-focused usage patterns
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  • Lightweight interface design enables quick access to live broadcasts
  • Curated directory of 1000+ stations provides regional focus
  • Trueplay acoustic calibration creates high switching costs
  • Multi-room synchronization drives hardware network effects
  • Apple-native integration via system widgets and Lock Screen controls
  • One-time purchase model avoids subscription fatigue
  • Low-latency volume control via hardware buttons
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  • Ad-replacement interaction creates a unique user-controlled ad experience
  • Background playback stability maintains core utility
Weaknesses
  • Frequent playback interruptions erode daily active usage
  • Inconsistent offline download functionality limits mobile utility
  • Clunky queue management hinders basic library navigation
  • Premium tier at $10.99/month above category median
  • 0.7★ Android-iOS rating gap indicates platform-specific instability
  • UI navigation regressions drive high-frequency churn
  • Ad-supported model lacks a premium, ad-free alternative for power users
  • No offline playback capability forces constant internet dependency
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  • Ad-supported model lacks premium revenue streams
  • No offline playback functionality
  • Station incompatibility issues reported in reviews
  • 4.2★ Android rating reflects connectivity regressions
  • Forced account registration alienates local-playback users
  • 3.95 rating on iOS suggests stability issues
  • Limited to Apple ecosystem
  • Lacks full in-app streaming catalogues
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  • iOS version abandoned since 2015
  • No IAP or subscription revenue diversification
  • UI lacks modern design standards
Pricingsubscriptionsubscriptionfreefreefreefreefreepaidfreemiumfree
MomentumActiveIntenseZombie-IntenseZombieMaintenanceSteady-Zombie
Update Cadence5 versions, 2 majors/6mo, ~23d avg5 versions, 1 majors/6mo, ~3d avg1 versions-5 versions1 versions2 versions, ~451d avg5 versions, 4 majors/6mo, ~26d avg-2 versions, ~3809d avg

Compare Qobuz: Music & Editorial head-to-head

Disclosure: Independent intel to help mobile builders succeed.

AI-powered analysis with editorial review, built from publicly available sources. Marlvel.ai is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Qobuz: Music & Editorial, its developer, the app publisher, Apple, or Google Play. All trademarks, logos, and screenshots referenced remain the property of their respective owners.

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